Research Units – Information and Advice

Application proposals for Research Units must:

• be supported by eminently qualified scientists

• describe a high-quality and unique research project.

• Interdisciplinarity is not necessary.

Generally, the maximum duration of a Research Unit is up to eight years in two application phases of four years each (until September 30, 2018: 3+3 years). Research Units may include different funding modules depending on the requirement of the discipline. Individual positions can be applied for.

The application process consists of two stages. First, a draft proposal must be submitted with a description of the overall project of about ten pages and summaries of the individual projects of one or two pages. On this basis, a decision on the invitation to submit full proposals is made four times a year. If a draft proposal is successful, the full proposal will then be examined by reviewers during a site visit and the final decision will be made by the DFG Senate.

Draft proposals for Research Units can be submitted at any time. Centers for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Science are invited to submit proposals annually, usually by mid-February.

Applicants preparing proposals for Research Units should consult the following offices early on:

• The Research Funding section in the Central Administration to ensure that comprehensive consultation and the necessary coordination with university management can take place starting in the proposal phase. Preliminary agreements on the allocation of suitable rooms should be made at an early stage, especially for Centers for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Science, as these are particularly relevant in the review process.
• Faculty management or the faculty research committees, if prior approval is required. At the Faculty of Science, please contact the Vice-Dean for Research Professor Klaus Harter or Ms. Meike Kammler in the Dean’s Office.
• Applicants for Research Units and Clinical Research Units from the Faculty of Medicine are asked to contact both Research Funding at the Faculty of Medicine and the Central Administration.
• Applicants must also contact the DFG program officers at an early stage.

Intramural seed funding (from MWK funds) can be applied for to prepare a draft proposal and to prepare the full proposal. Further information can be obtained from the Research Funding section.

Please also refer to the key text modules for research proposals on university-wide matters (equal opportunity, promotion of young researchers, etc.).

• Collaborative Research Centers at the University of Tübingen
• DFG program information
• DFG program contacts
• DFG forms